wise woman | Lauri Ann Lumby

In a few days I will be turning 60. Past thirty, I haven’t really cared about age. I still don’t except that I kinda feel like I’m done. Not “done-done,” just without any sort of compass, map, itinerary or plan. What does one do and where does one go when you’ve already done all you set out to do – and then some?

I completed a college degree and went back to school for several more.
I’ve had many jobs.
I got married and divorced.
I bore and raised two amazing children who are pretty wonderful adults.
I’ve written and published eleven books.
I’ve created and taught the curriculum of over thirty separate classes.
I’ve guided many through my Magdalene training program.
I’ve counselled another many.
I’ve created videos and podcasts.
I’ve rebuilt my website too many times to count.
I’ve made many friends (and left a few behind).

With a few exceptions, I planned for very little of this! Things came my way with an invitation to pursue them, and I did – with a passion and vigor.

Now, the slate is clean. My books and courses will always be there and available for those who feel so-called, and I don’t feel the call to create any more. I’m always available for counsel. My children will always be a part of my life, as will a handful of friends. Other than that, I have no specific plans, and nothing that is beckoning pursuit.

Instead, all I have before me is the present moment and whatever meets me there. When inspiration to write comes, I follow. I continue to work at my “chop wood carry water” job. And my practice continues to be the central focus of each day – actually each moment of every day, included in that practice are the only words that seem to speak to me now – those of the Tao Te Ching.

Other than that – nadda. Unless we count the dream that occurred the other night:

In the dream, I was shown a seemingly empty room. The room was rectangular in shape with shining maple-colored floors. As I was being shown the room I heard the words, “Wise Council of Elders,” and then felt a tap on my knee that awakened me to see the truth of the room. It was not empty but filled with ageless women and men of all races. I immediately came to see that I was one among them. I had always been one among them, only now I was awakened to this truth.

Then I woke up. I know better than to ponder the meaning of the dream, so instead, I am simply sitting with the invitation and the awareness. What does it mean to be one among the Wise Council of Elders? I guess time will tell.

My dear spiritual brother Bill Tonnis sent me his most recent song that reflects the sentiments in this blog:

Please enjoy Bill’s inspiring music!

Embracing a once-valued archetype

Wise Woman: one who sees beyond the illusion. One who has embraced her gifts and suffered for the sake of her Soul’s calling. One who has been tried and tested and who has conquered her demons and embraces her shadow.

In the Wild: One who trusts her own inner authority and supports others in doing the same. One who lives her own sovereignty and therefore cannot be contained by the status-quo. One who has broken free from the fear, power, oppression, and control of the prevailing system. One who is authentically free.

Before patriarchy wrested power from the masses, wise women were held in high esteem. These were the women of the community/tribe/clan who were healers and midwives. They comforted the dying and journeyed with the grieving. These were the women who were the seers, oracles, prophets, counselors, and guides. They were the secret-keepers, knowledge holders and record-keepers, protectors of the clan’s history and their stories. Finally, they were the “pray-ers”- engaging with the powers of Great Spirit to ensure the clan was in harmony with the Wisdom of the Universe and Her cycles.

These were the women whose services were so critical to the survival of the community that their needs were provided for by the clan so that the women might focus solely on their good work. My Irish ancestors gave these women the names of:

Seabhean – the woman who walks between the worlds

Bean Feasa – the woman who sees

We live in a world where the Wise Woman are no longer honored. Instead, for centuries we have been ridiculed, condemned, even murdered because of the gifts we display, and more specifically, because we have risen above the fear that keeps the patriarchy in its power. Women who have claimed their own inner authority and who use it freely are a threat to the patriarchal system. It is for this reason that for centuries, our ancestors have hidden or denied their gifts and suffered – not only the imprisonment of patriarchy, but also the emotional/physical/mental/psychological/spiritual consequences of putting a lid on the Spirit of Love that seeks to be known in the world through us.

Isn’t it time we set that Spirit free?

How are you called to embrace the archetype of the Wise Woman in the Wild? What steps are you currently taking to live your truth? What are the systems of control that you have escaped? What is still holding you back from living your sovereignty?